God is a mystery in many ways. So what is a mystery from a believer's perspective? Something that is not revealed, and something that that faith and love endures in. The mysteries of God are things that give us wonder, awe, and even sometimes a healthy fear. Mysteries can of course be revealed, but certainly they are revealed by God's will, not simply because we desire to have the knowledge.
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Ephesians 1:9
9
he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,
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Secrets have always been a part of human authorities. Secret knowledge has been kept by human authorities in order to maintain a perception of control over the masses. The people are not told, and the authorities do not reveal. In this aspect, secrets are a form of power. Whether it is parents or children, religious leaders, corporations, or government parties; secrets are kept to control perceptions.
For believers keeping some acts secret, like prayer and charity, is done to honor God, avoiding exposure that could turn a pure act into something that is self promoting.
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Matthew 6:3,4
3
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4
so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
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Lies. Lies are also a form of control, but unlike secrets, lies are statements that alter perceptions, instead of controlling them with silent intent. A lie is an action that is motivated by goals, desires, or feelings. A lie is a reaction, a natural reaction in a situation where fear of a loss of control is present.
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John 8:44
44
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
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Mysteries can inspire us. Secrets can be kept to protect others. But lies are born of weakness and fear. As believers who carry the Truth, we find ourselves drawn to mysteries of the Father and heaven. As believers, we may indeed keep secrets because some knowledge can cause others harm that is needless. As believers, lies are in total opposition to what we suffer to maintain, which is the Christ in us.
Lies are to be avoided, even though honesty comes at cost more often than not. The cost can only be to self or to others for being honest. But the rewards for integrity is a clear conscience. And the Father is witness to our efforts to avoid lies, and or worthiness is noted.
Having said this, we who were not raised in the Law, were raised in our transgressions. Many of us as children saw the benefit of lies for self preservation. And similarly, in our work lives in the world, telling lies is profitable, and great gains can be made. Lies are deadly. They manipulate and destroy. So for a believer to resort to honesty, they are losing that selfish and worldly benefit for the sake of holiness. A sufferance because they put the Father first the others, before themselves.
Mysteries bloom into passions for the unseen qualities of God. The fuel the fire of belief. They also become the foundation of bonds of friendship between believers. Just like two star gazers find the skies as a similar interest, believers relate to the awe each other has for the greatness of eternity.
For believers, secrets strengthen our bond to the Father. Anonymity and private prayer keep our sincerity up.
But lies are a poison that we need to avoid. They work in opposition to what we seek to carry forward. They fruit of this tree is all bad.
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